As we finish the calendar year out, very few new releases come out. Record companies focus on their catalog artists/greatest hits shit at retail. But both Common and Jeezy got a new one out and I jumped on this one as I know nothing about the other.Common is clearly taking himself more seriously here, focusing on a lyrical theme of dreaming and reaching past your limits. For example, after the opening track runs through its mellow, decidedly non-hip-hoppy shuffle beat, it ends with a coda of Maya Angelou reading a poem. The album ends with an inspirational speech by Chicago b-baller Lonnie Lynn.
He sometimes throws out some shitty similes. "Get my drink on like coasters." and "friends' pass out like pamphlets" and on the other hand he blows out genius lines like "blows a breath of fresh air for you asthmatic rap addicts". But his themes are always sincere; whether about being the voice of optimism or by tracking the obligatory pro-strong-will-ghetto-woman song. The positivity is a plus without being ridiculously boastful like the Beastie Boys last piece of shit. And the rhymes are cool without being awe-inspiring.
I was also a little disappointed altogether with the production. One of things I like about the more underground rap that I listen to is the interesting ways that whichever crew can manipulate a beat. On TD/TB, there are no big name producers, and it shows. The tunes mostly seem ready-made/corporate. A steady-beat over some mellow soul or some smooth jazz.
Being the hopeless romantic, my favorite track is going to be "Lovin' I Lost"; which laments and praises the past relationship all at the same time. And is bedded with a fantastic Curtis Mayfield mix to bring some old soul to the bedroom. (2.5 of 5 stars)
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